John 8: 31-32
“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’”
So what did you decide it means to “hold to the teachings of Jesus?” One of the questions that come to my mind is whether or not my salvation is dependent on my ability to hold to the teachings of Jesus. Jesus does not say, however, that if you hold to his teaching you are saved. He says instead that if you hold to his teaching you are a disciple.
Can the power of Christ on the cross save someone who is not able to hold to the teaching of Jesus? I hope so! Like Paul, in his writings to the Romans (chapters 7 & 8) I find that “Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me.” (Romans 7: 21) He then adds, “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7: 25a) Jesus himself says, “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” (John 3: 14-15)
Even on this point, there are many who argue this way and that. What does it mean to believe? Are all called to be disciples, or are some called to serve in other ways? Is one who believes automatically considered to be a disciple? How much power does Christ have to save? Is it enough to save even someone like me?
Q: What do you think? Should we argue about what one has to do to be saved, or should we love others as God loves us and trust that Jesus can save all who are called to him?
I do think we need clarity about what it means to follow Jesus and what one must do to be saved. Think about the eternal importance of answering this question. Yes all who have been given by the Father to Jesus will be saved, but God uses believers as his tools to proclaim the good news of salvation in Christ and to teach/disciple them.
There are many fruitless arguments we Christians tend to get caught up in – it is a very human thing to do… But I think if there is ever an argument to have as Christians it is for the core of our faith – Jesus the Messiah through whom we are saved based on God’s grace and our faith in Him. This is something that is repeated throughout the epistles – salvation and following Jesus is extremely important to the apostles.
Thank you, Nathan! It is human nature to argue. That is the “flesh” Paul talks about so often. “The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak,” as Jesus said (Matthew 26:41b). Certainly we should encourage each other in right behavior and chastise wrong behavior. Yet, in matters of salvation, I believe everything relies on Jesus.
Hmm, I think we agree and are just talking about the same thing differently. I agreee that Salvation is the work of God.
It’s interesting that the sermon from Bill M this Sunday mentioned that we can get so into learning and loving the Bible that we can miss loving God. And in realtion to your question, we can be so busy doing works for God that we forget/neglect to love others.
God calls us to love Him and to love others. Keeping this focus is so important.